ELECTION COMMISSION
The Election Commission is an independent and permanent body established by the constitution (article 324).
TEXT OF THE ARTICLE- 324. (1) The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State and of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President held under this Constitution shall be vested in a Commission (referred to in this Constitution as the Election Commission).
The Election Commission was established on 25 JANUARY, 1950. Till 1989, the commission had one member only consisting of the Chief Election Commissioner. In the month of October 1989, the President of India appointed two more members to the commission to reduce the workload of the election commission on account of lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 by the 61 Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988. Again in 1990 the commission was made a single member body. In 1993, the president appointed two more members and the status is same even today.
Current composition
- CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER
The Chief election commissioner is appointed by the President of India for a period of 6 years or the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. The Chief election commissioner enjoys a security of tenure, by which he cannot be removed from his office except on the same manner and grounds as a judge of Supreme Court. He can be removed by a resolution passed by both the houses of the Parliament with special majority.
- OTHER TWO ELECTION COMMISSIONERS
They are appointed by the President, but they can only be removed from the office on the recommendation of the Chief election commissioner.
They hold the office for a period of 6 years or until they attain the age of 65 years whichever is earlier.
- The Chief election commissioner and other two commissioners have equal pay and allowances(similar to those of a judge of a Supreme Court)
IN CASE OF DIFFERENCE OF OPINION THE MATTER IS DECIDED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSION.
ADDITIONAL POINTS
- There are no prescribed qualifications of the members of the Election commission.
- The members are not debarred from any further appointment by the government. For ex- The members once retired can be made the governor of a state.
- There is no specific term of the members of the Election commissioners
FUNCTIONS 
POWERS
- ADVISORY POWER
- Advises the President of India and governors about disqualification of the members of parliament and state legislatures
- Advices the High Courts and the Supreme Court in post election disputes between candidates and political parties.
QUASI JUDICIAL POWERS
- Settles disputes about recognition granted to candidates and political parties.
- Acts as a court for disputes about the allotment of election symbols to political parties and candidates
ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS
- Defines the territorial boundaries of electoral constituencies for different elections
- Registers and deregisters any political party or entity
- Enforces the Model Code of conduct for election campaigns
- Keeps a check on election expenses of parties
FUN FACT- Till date only one woman has been appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner- V.S Ramadevi(November 1990-december 1990)
HIERARCHY OF ELECTION MACHINERY 
Since the formation of Election commission in 1950, 17 Lok Sabha elections have been held; elections in many state legislative assemblies have been held successfully despite challenges like militancy, etc. Every Democracy has to look for ways and measures to make sure that elections are free and fair. With the establishment of independent election commission, India the largest democracy in the world has tried to make the process free and fair. Although the goal of free and fair elections is only possible when all those involved in the process agree to abide by the spirit of democracy.
THANK YOU,
JAI HIND